Spero News Rips Archdiocese of St Paul - Minneapolis

You will want to read this one!

Today we look around with dismay at the state of affairs in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis and realize that a more striking dichotomy could hardly exist. We have arrived at the point where good is stamped out as something evil, and evil is permitted to flourish as a good.
[snip]
Despite the fact that the Church has taught clearly and concisely on marriage and homosexuality, there appears to be great confusion on these subjects among those whom you would expect to know better within the archdiocese.
[snip]
At the Office of Indian Ministry in Minneapolis, one can find a unique example of a multi-cultural liturgy by Fr. James Notebaart, a priest featured on the archdiocesan website as an expert in building and remodeling churches, and a consultant on nearly all church renovations in the archdiocese within the last 30 years. Fr. Notebaart has designed a "Catholic" liturgy that incorporates several aspects of Native American pagan worship and is greatly influenced by his direct contact with medicine men in northern Minnesota.
[snip]
Archbishop John Roach of St. Paul-Minneapolis was the first US bishop to start such a committee in 1979. COW supports radical feminism in the Church and the inclusion of women to the priesthood. Their 2005 Women’s Research Forum featured a variety of feminist speakers, including Mary Feeley who told how inclusive language “is a passion for her” and that women “need to hear that God is Mother.”
[snip]
With more than 225 parishes in the archdiocese and over 400 priests, there is certainly no valid need for general absolution services in St. Paul-Minneapolis. However, it is reported that approximately 75 parishes provide general absolution on a regular basis, either monthly or in preparation for the feasts of Easter and Christmas. This is a gross violation of Catholic Church teaching, and yet this practice has continued unhindered in the archdiocese for years.
[snip]

We might also ask why he does nothing about the most notorious public scandal in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis: the Church of St. Joan of Arc. St. Joan’s continues to shock with no interference from the local chancery. In 2004, due to the inactivity of the Archbishop, the Vatican was forced to directly request that they remove their gay pride web pages and stop the practice of lay homilists. Well, the gay pride page came down, but the GLBT ministry page is still up.

And lay homilists? They cleverly substituted “Sunday presentations” for the homilies, and most of these are still given by the laity and clerics of other religions. One of the most popular pages on their website is the preview of upcoming homilies, and transcriptions of these are available on the website.

[snip]

The First Communion preparation for children includes a wine and host sampling and a tour of the sacristy where they are shown “the priest’s vestments, baptismal candles, communion supplies and even the sink where the unused wine is disposed of.” Based on terms used in the report, it is understood that the unused wine referred to is actually the Precious Blood. That is not a good thing to be teaching the little ones because, according to Canon 1367, a person who throws away the consecrated species incurs an automatic excommunication.

Then there is the annual Seder Meal celebrated on Holy Thursday. It is a “celebration of the Eucharist in small groups at tables” where hostesses serve consecrated pita bread from large platters and glass decanters of consecrated wine are distributed to parishioners in a mock restaurant atmosphere. It’s a gala event with candles and a vase of flowers on every table.

And just last month, April 28-29, 2006, the infamous heretic and apostate priest Matthew Fox was given the red carpet treatment at St. Joan of Arc Church for two speaking engagements.

A week after the Fox visit, Auxiliary Bishop Richard Pates visited St. Joan of Arc to formally install Fr. DeBruycker as pastor. According to The Wanderer, Bishop Pates assured parishioners that “Fr. DeBruycker has the full support of Archbishop Flynn.” In confirmation of this, Archbishop Flynn himself (along with Bishop Pates) paid a visit to St. Joan of Arc on May 24, 2006, to preside at the funeral Mass for Fr. Harvey Egan, former pastor of St. Joan’s. Fr. Egan is the founder of their famous and controversial “gym Mass.”

A local Catholic who attended the funeral gave a detailed description of what he saw. [gulp!]
[snip] Spero News

Who is Spero News?

Madrid, Spain/Houston, Texas /April 11/ — Communication in today’s world requires openness and a new approach with respect to media. Spero News is that new approach.

Initially in English, and soon expanding into Spanish, Spero News is a bi-lingual weekly electronic magazine and community spanning the globe providing premium content submitted from its nearly 100 collaborators. Spero News aims to enhance society by creating a premier, alternative network for readers seeking quality news, information and interaction through the Internet by providing news, commentary, and analysis that encourages citizen participation. In that respect, Spero News is a unique experience towards creating a constructive dialogue between media and readers with the aim of promoting a correctly informed and discerning public opinion as reflected in Judeo-Christian values. By melding journalists, citizen journalists and sector professionals, Spero News also guarantees that its news is by the people and for the people. [snip] The Blog from the Core

Risen Christ Catholic School

If you are interested or have questions, contact
Maggie McCarrick at 612-822-5329, ext 106
or mmccarrick@risenchristschool.org

Father Leisen to Celebrate 50 Years of Priesthood in Paynesville on Sunday

Father Richard Leisen - pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville for the past 19 years - will be honored on Sunday for his 50 years as a priest. The celebration of the 50th anniversary of his ordination will begin with Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the church and will include an open house, short program, and dinner after the service.

This mile-marker is "not a big deal," for Leisen, who sees it as "part of the course of life." The years have gone by quickly, and it certainly does not seem like his ordination was a half century ago, he added. Leisen has been the priest at St. Louis Catholic Church since 1987 and does not plan to leave his post. "I enjoy doing what I'm doing, so why not keep doing it?" he asked. [snip] Paynesville Press

Study finds support for a Catholic high school in Wisconsin

There are enough students to fill a St. Croix Valley Catholic high school, and the land is available to build it. Now supporters are facing another question: Can they raise the money to make the proposed school a reality? The fundraising issue could be the biggest hurdle that members of the St. Croix Valley Catholic High School Task Force will face, but so far the news has been encouraging.

A $10,000 demographic study funded by a donor indicated there would be enough students to support a ninth- through 12th-grade school. And the school already has a home — 40 acres in the Hudson School District donated by John and Georgine Schottler.

The task force needs to raise $30,000 to $50,000 to determine if backers can raise the $15 million to $30 million needed to build a school. [snip] Pioneer Press

Sanctuary O' the Day: St Paul Cathedral, St Paul

St Paul Cathedral, St Paul, Minnesota

History: The Cathedral of Saint Paul as we know it today is actually the fourth building to bear that name. The first chapel was constructed by Father Lucien Galtier in 1841 and it was dedicated as a Cathedral by the city's first Bishop, Joseph Cretin in 1851.

The cornerstone was laid on June 2, 1907, in a grand celebration attended by more than 60,000 people. The Cathedral's exterior was completed in late 1914, and work and the first Mass was to be held on Easter Sunday, 1915. The interior finishes were completed as funding allowed and work on the Cathedral would continue over the next 25 years.

All-Nite Vigil at St Augustine's, So. St Paul, June 2

THE WORLD APOSTOLATE OF FATIMA of the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, is sponsoring an All-Night-Vigil of reparation and prayer at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 302-5th Avenue North, South St. Paul. The vigil will start on Friday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. with the Tridentine Latin Mass, followed by confession, the Joyful mysteries and the rest of the vigil program. The vigil will close of June 3, with Mass at 4 a.m. Everyone is invited.

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

No headlines marked Bernard Pepper's passing more than 50 years ago. Most people who visit the cemetery today will stroll right past his grave, without any idea of who he was or what he did for his nation. But it's the stories of soldiers like Pepper that have become a life's work for Steve Chicoine, an author and historian from Eden Prairie .

Chicoine's book, "Our Hallowed Ground," published in 2005 by the University of Minnesota Press, recounts the stories of 87 World War II veterans who are buried at the Fort Snelling cemetery. The book profiles both men and women, and members of all branches of the service.

"You don't have to go to Arlington Cemetery or Washington, D.C," says Chicoine. "We have a shrine to democracy right here." [snip] StarTribune

Memorial Day

Mitchell at Our Word has posted the wonderful World War One poem, "In Flanders Field." Here are two others from that same war" Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen First Published in 1921 Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned out backs, And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame, all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of gas-shells dropping softly behind. Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!--An ecstasy of fumbling Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime.-- Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams before my helpless sight He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin, If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs Bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,-- My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori. ANTHEM FOR DOOMED YOUTH What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells; Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, – The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires. What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys but in their eyes Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. September - October, 1917

All-City Charismatic Mass -- Pentecost Sunday

Eighth-Annual Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference and Curriculum Fair

"The Ministry of Education"
University of St Thomas, St Paul, June 2-3,
Kimberly Hahn, Keynote Speaker
Also presenting will be Dr. Ted Sri, Alicia van Hecke, Ginny Seuffert, Kathy Fears, Kim Jaworski, Susan Mielke, Anne Bielejeski, and . . . Father Robert Altier

For Further Information

Pope Benedict's Speech at Birkenau May 28

As a Pole, as a Catholic, as an American, and as a human being, I am so moved by this incredibly powerful speech that words are difficult to come by.

It sums up as never has been done before all the billons of words that have been written about the atrocities of the death camps of the Nazi regime during World War II.

Virtually nothing significant will be written in the future about what happened to the Jews, to the Poles, to the Roma and to the other nationalities, including even some Germans, by Adolf Hitler and his accomplices, without the author being impelled to quote one or more of the many powerful truths that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI presented today at Birkenau in Poland.

Gerald at The Cafeteria is Closed, who was born in Austria, has the text of the Speech.

Sanctuary O' the Day - St Adrian, in Adrian, MN

St Adrian Parish, Adrian, Nobles County, MN

Recognizing the need for the development of the vast prairie in southwestern Minnesota, Bishop John Ireland contracted with the railroads to act as their land agent in the areas near railway expansion. Bishop Ireland wanted only the best land reserved for his future Irish (and other) Catholic settlers.

1878 saw the construction of a wood framed church building, costing $700.00, compliments of Bishop Ireland. By 1887 $15,000 had been raised for the building of a new church. The brick veneered structure, complete with a tower of great height and the capacity to seat 500 worshipers, was dedicated by Bishop Ireland in 1889.

On December 24, 1899, a fire started in the basement of the church. The fire spread quickly and due to the intense heat and the brick veneer on the outside of the church, the structure was a total loss, although a few items from the church were saved.

Over $30,000 was raised to build a new church. The corner stone of the church was placed and dedicated on July 4, 1900, by Bishop John Cotter. In 1901 the congregation began worshipping inside the twin towered, beautiful new church.

Planned Parenthood Site in Woodbury Protested

About 200 protesters demonstrated Saturday outside a Woodbury shopping center against a Planned Parenthood express-care clinic scheduled to open this week. Calling the planned center an "obscene sex clinic," organizers protested Planned Parenthood's expansion into the eastern suburb. The agency's abortion practice was the target of most of the protesters, although no abortions will be performed at the Woodbury site.

"This is all about increasing (Planned Parenthood's) business and making more money for their nationwide abortion chain," said Brian Gibson of Pro-Life Action Ministries of St. Paul, which is among the groups that organized Saturday's protest at the corner of Radio and City Centre drives. [snip] Pioneer Press

Father Tim Vacos's Family Has Faith He Can Heal

Severely wounded in Iraq as an Army chaplain, he still inspires those around him even as a battle develops over his treatment.

Memorial Day marks two years to the day since Maj. Vakoc, of the Army's 44th Corps Support Battalion, suffered a severe head wound while returning from a Mass he delivered to soldiers outside the Iraqi city of Mosul. The Robbinsdale native was the first Army chaplain seriously injured in the Iraq war.

Monday also is the 14th anniversary of his ordination, the start of a priesthood that included churches in St. Anthony and Eagan and stops in Bosnia and Iraq as a full-time Army chaplain.

Though the bomb blast has taken his voice, the 46-year-old is still very much a priest who has inspired people worldwide and touched numerous visitors and caregivers at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis.[snip] Pioneer Press

Land of Lakes Choirboys: International Boychoir Festival at the Basilica

Saturday, June 10, 7:00 p.m. Free and open to all

A “Boychoir Spectacular” featuring Land of Lakes Choirboys The Little Singers (Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland), The Kantorei (Singing boys of Rockford, Illinois), The St. Croix Valley Boy Choir, The Central Minnesota Boys’ Choir, The Metropolitan Boys’ Choir and The St. Florian Boys’ Choir of Austria.

Gerald Wirth (Artistic Director of the Vienna Boys' Choir) is the guest clinician. And Austrian pianist Robert Riedler (former Conductor of the Vienna Boys Choir) will be the festival accompanist.

MN Boychoir’s Annual Spring Concert at the Basilica

Saturday, June 3, 7:30 p.m. Free and open to all -- a donation will be collected duriing the event.

The Minnesota Boy Choir is a 44 year old musical tradition, dedicated to musical excellence, discipline, teamwork and leadership preparation.

The choir is composed of more than 100 boys and young men aged 7 to 18. The choir's repertoire includes challenging sacred, classical, secular, folk and contempporary choral music sung in more than 25 languages and dialects.

Do You Know What An Apologist Does? - no. 2b

An Apologist Doesn't Apologize for the Church's Actions.

An Apologist Defends the Faith of the Catholic Church and its Interpretation of Holy Scripture!

Would You Like to Become a Good Apologist?

John Martignoni at the Bible Christian Society is an apologist and has a free newsletter that gives instructions on how to be a better apologist when you feel called upon to defend the Church when you hear someone say or write something that is incorrect.

John's instruction system makes a lot of sense. He prints a question that he has received; then he explains how a question like that should be handled; and then then he gives his answer. If you would like to be better able to speak confidently about your Catholic faith, why not visit John's web site and subscribe to his newsletter. He also has audio tapes that he will send you for free (he will accept a free will offering, though).

Here is an example of the information he sent in today's newsletter:

General Comments

Introduction Issue No. 10

You have probably encountered this first question in one form or another. You may not have ever been asked the second question before, but I thought you might be interested in it.

Challenge/Response/Strategy

2nd Question

Dear John: I am a Deacon in the Archdiocese of _____. Admittedly my strong suit is not in prophesy. I found your lecture on the "Rapture" very insightful. However I am getting some flack over the concept of "one resurection". My opponents cite Revelation 20 pointing out that it says "first resurection" which implies more than one. Plus "the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over". Please advise.

God Bless,

Deacon Tom

Deacon Tom

Dear Deacon Tom,

There are indeed two resurrections, just as there are two deaths (Rev 20:14). First, let's address the two deaths: 1) The first death is the death of the body, which we all know about and are familiar with; 2) The 2nd death is obviously the death of the soul, for eternity, in hell (the lake of fire)...again, we see this in Rev 20:14. So, two deaths: one of the body and one of the soul.

Now, regarding the 2 resurrections. If we have two deaths, one of the body and one of the soul, then, to be consistent, the two resurrections must be one of the body and one of the soul. The resurrection that most folks are familiar with is actually the 2nd resurrection...the resurrection of the body. This will occur at the 2nd coming of Christ at the end of time.

As you stated, Rev. 20 mentions the first resurrection...this is the resurrection of the soul. We can see this from scripture itself. First, Rev 20:4 says that John saw the "souls" of these particular folks. Then it says they (the souls) came to life and reigned with Christ and that this is the first resurrection. How does someone's soul "come to life?" The soul doesn't die when the body dies, so how does a soul come to life? A soul comes to life, when it puts on Christ. When it goes from darkness to light.

Also, it goes on to say here that those who share in the first resurrection, "Over such the second death has no power." Now, just a few verses later in Rev 20, John mentions the 2nd death. And, who is it over which the second death has no power? Well, verse 15 tells us that those whose name was written in the Book of Life, avoid the 2nd death. So, what is the first resurrection? It is the moment our names are written into the book of life. The moment our souls are taken out of darkness and brought into the light of Christ. It is the moment of our salvation. For Catholics, the 1st resurrection would be the moment of baptism. For most Protestants, the 1st resurrection would be the moment they accepted Christ into their hearts as their personal Lord and Savior. Either way, the first resurrection is NOT a physical resurrection, it is the resurrection of the soul.

Now, regarding the 1000 years. You need to understand that the language in this passage, as in a lot of the Book of Revelation is figurative. It is not historical narrative. It is more akin to poetry. You cannot take it in a literalist manner. Keep in mind the phrase, "It's raining cats and dogs." Does that mean cats and dogs are falling from the sky like rain? No, of course not. That's the principle to keep in mind when reading Revelation...there is something behind the words.

St. Augustine believed that the one thousand years represent the period of time between Christ's Incarnation up until just before His return at the 2nd coming. In other words, the "one thousand years" is not an exact timeframe, it is simply representative of the period of time between Christ's first and second coming.

Just before Christ comes again, Satan is let loose and we have the Great Tribulation. Afterall, isn't Satan being restrained right now? Isn't the power of Christ restraining Satan from running totally amuck? Isn't Christ already reigning in Heaven and on Earth? Isn't He reigning in the hearts and minds of His followers? Well, if Christ is already reigning on earth amongst His followers, then aren't His followers, the members of the Body of Christ, also reigning with Him? I mean, they're members of His Body, aren't they? And, again, when you consider that the 1st resurrection is the resurrection of the soul from darkness, which occurs when we become members of the Body of Christ, then this passage makes absolutely no sense when interpreted in the context of a physical reign of Christ on earth for exactly one thousand years at some point in the future.

So, the first resurrection, the soul coming to life, is directly related to the 2nd death...death of the soul. Those whose souls have been resurrected avoid the 2nd death...eternity in hell. Which would mean, that the 2nd resurrection is directly related to the 1st death...death of the body. Which, we know to be true. Okay: 1) 1st death...death of the body, corresponds to 2nd resurrection...resurrection of the body. 2) 2nd death...death of the soul, corresponds to the first resurrection...resurrection of the soul.

1st resurrection...resurrection of the soul; then comes the 1st death...death of the body; then comes the 2nd resurrection...resurrection of the body; then comes the 2nd death...death of the soul (for those who are not of the 1st resurrection). The "rest of the dead" are those who have not been saved...who did not receive baptism. They will rise at the end of the thousand years, at the return of Christ, to be judged.

If you are in the 1st resurrection, you avoid the 2nd death. If you are not in the 1st resurrection, you are in the 2nd death. So, 2 resurrections...one death. 1 resurrection...two deaths.

I hope that makes sense, and I hope it helps. Once you can show your opponents that the 1st resurrection is not a physical one, that it is a resurrection of the soul...bringing the soul from darkness to light...the adding of one's name to the Book of Life...then I think you may be on your way to planting some seeds of truth with some folks and of showing that these passages simply don't make sense if you try to interpret them as a physical, one-thousand year reign of Christ on earth.

God bless!

John Martignoni

If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, and you would like to be added to our distribution list, all you have to do is go to www.biblechristiansociety.com and click on the "Newsletter" page to sign up. It will take you about 10 seconds.

Sanctuary O' the Day - Our Lady of Lourdes, Mpls

Our Lady of Lourdes, "Old St Anthony", Minneapolis

Near this spot in 1680, Father Louis Hennepin named
the Falls of St. Anthony. Our Lady of Lourdes Church is the oldest continuously used church in the city of Minneapolis. It was designated a U.S. historic landmark in 1934 and is the first parish in the United States named in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Letter to the Strib: Anti-Catholic bigotry: "Old Scout's" Exhibit A

Thank you for printing Garrison Keillor's column right next to Katherine Kersten's in the May 21 Opinion Exchange section.

Keillor is obviously still hurting from the bloody nose given him by supporters of the DeLaSalle football field on Nicollet Island. Veiled in satire, his poke in the eye to Catholics mocking the use of incense as "repellent smoke like burning tires," was not meant to be funny but to offend those unhappy with his stance on the football field.

Kersten nailed him dead on in her article. There is no way that Keillor would mock any other religion in such a vicious way. No way.

As a Catholic I can take the punches of people such as Keillor, but I agree with Kersten that mocking the Catholic Church is the "last safe harbor for bigots in this multicultural world."

JACK PETROSKI, ST. LOUIS PARK

Catholic doctors urge substitutes for abortion-linked vaccines

Catholics should pressure pharmaceutical companies and government authorities to quickly come up with alternatives to vaccines derived from cells taken from aborted fetuses, according to an association of U.S. Catholic physicians.

The Catholic Medical Association, based in Needham, Mass., said in a mid-May statement that "physicians and patients are permitted to use the vaccines when no effective alternative is available." But patients may decide not to use vaccines derived from aborted fetuses as long as the refusal does not place children or the general public at significant risk, the statement added. [snip] Catholic News Service

All U.S. Diocesan-owned Colleges Gather at Loras College in Dubuque for Meeting

Guess how many there are? Only 8.

May 31 through June 1 marks the dates when representatives from each Catholic diocesan college in the U.S. will meet in Dubuque. This gathering, under the leadership of the Loras College Catholic Identity Committee, will allow the eight diocesan colleges – possibly for the first time -- to discuss issues facing all higher education institutions from a diocesan perspective.

Participants will be representing St. Ambrose University (Davenport, Iowa), Carroll College (Helena, Mont.), Gannon University (Erie, Pa.), Loras College (Dubuque, Iowa), Seton Hall University (South Orange, N.J.), University of St. Thomas (Miami, Fla.), University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) and University of Dallas (Dallas, Texas). [snip] Loras College

One would have thought that there were many more than that.

Sex Ed Courses Must Promote Abstinance in Wisconsin

Sex education teachers must present abstinence as the preferred behavior for unmarried people under a bill Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law on Tuesday.
[snip]
The legislation means teachers must emphasize that refraining from sex before marriage is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases but still allows them to teach about contraception.

Twenty-one other states require sex education classes to stress abstinence, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a think tank that tracks legislation dealing with sexual activity. [snip] Pioneer Press

Do You Know What An Apologist Does? - no. 2a

An Apologist Doesn't Apologize for the Church's Actions.

An Apologist Defends the Faith of the Catholic Church and its Interpretation of Holy Scripture!

Would You Like to Become a Good Apologist?

John Martignoni at the Bible Christian Society is an apologist and has a free newsletter that gives instructions on how to be a better apologist when you feel called upon to defend the Church when you hear someone say or write something that is incorrect.

John's instruction system makes a lot of sense. He prints a question that he has received; then he explains how a question like that should be handled; and then then he gives his answer. If you would like to be better able to speak confidently about your Catholic faith, why not visit John's web site and subscribe to his newsletter. He also has audio tapes that he will send you for free (he will accept a free will offering, though).

Here is an example of the information he sent in today's newsletter:

General Comments

Well, I never heard back from Karen (see Issue #9), so, in this newsletter, I'm just going to put out there a couple of questions that I've received from Catholics along with the answers I gave them to those questions. This is a bit different from the standard newsletter, but I told you that some of these would be on their way to you. In fact, the next 2 or 3 issues may follow this same format.

Introduction Issue No. 10

You have probably encountered this first question in one form or another. You may not have ever been asked the second question before, but I thought you might be interested in it.

As always, please feel free to forward this to anyone and everyone in your email lists. And, please feel free to print it out and copy it to give to others.

Challenge/Response/Strategy

First Question:

I began taking a Catholic Bible Study course a few weeks ago...The teacher has degrees in Divinity and Theology...He says that the Bible cannot be taken "literally"...I understand that, am open to that and believe that...however, I was of the mind that the New Testament was true as written...he used the miracle of the loaves and fishes to challenge us as to whether we thought this "actually" happened or...if the five thousand men listening to Jesus preach were moved to share the food that they had been hoarding...I left there (and my small group of 5 others) feeling upset, confused,and a bit sad...we began to question whether the water became wine at Cana and if all other miracles can be dismissed as well...what are your thoughts on this and what should we do at our next class?

Thanks!

Donna

Dear Donna,

First of all, please feel free to tell your teacher that I said he/she is an idiot. Second, if you paid money for this course, ask for a refund. Third, tell your teacher that the official teaching of the Catholic Church, as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), is that Catholics are to take the Bible literally. CCC #115: "According to an ancient tradition, one can distinguish between two senses of Scripture: the literal and the spiritual... CCC #116: "The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture and discovered by exegesis, following the rules of sound interpretation: 'All other senses of Sacred Scripture are based on the literal.'"

Fourth, say to your teacher that since this is a "Catholic" bible study, you would like for him to give you the official documents of the Catholic Church that teach what he was teaching. He won't be able to do it because that is not what the Church teaches.

Fifth, tell him that he obviously is not reading the passage on the loaves and the fishes in context. If the "miracle" was that Jesus got everyone to "share" their hidden food that they had been hoarding, then why would they want to make him king because of that (John 6:11-15)? I can just imagine one of the Jews yelling, "Hey, he got us to share our food, let's make him king!" And all the other Jews shouting, "Yeah! He got us to share, let's make him king!!!!" Oh, please... Editor's note: :-)

Also, if they were hoarding this food, why does it say that they filled twelve baskets with fragments from the "five barley loaves?" And please ask your teacher to give one historical document as evidence to support his interpretation of events...just one. We have an historical document, the Bible...it says what it says. It would make sense that one would need to rely on some other historical document, which gives a different account of events, in order to reach the conclusion that it didn't happen the way the Bible relates it.

But, your teacher has no such historical document. Nor does he have a document from the official teachings of the Church that says what he's saying. What your teacher has is a loss of faith. He does not believe in miracles. He obviously does not believe in the divinity of Christ. He obviously does not believe in the Eucharist. And, in order to make himself feel better about his lack of faith, he wants you to lose your faith, too. Kind of like the kids who do bad things, they want other kids to do bad things with them...it kind of helps them to justify and rationalize what they're doing.

Sixth, go back to my website and click on the "Booklets" page. Print off the booklet entitled "Catholics and the Bible," and read some of the quotes that I have there from official Church documents. Also, order the tape/CD entitled "Catholics and the Bible." You might want to order one for everyone in your class, including your teacher.

Seventh, tell your teacher that I challenge him/her to a public debate on the "literal" nature of Scripture. Eighth, go to www.catholicscripturestudy.com and sign up for one of their Bible studies. You won't get any of the garbage from them that you got from this other anti-Catholic, anti-Christian Bible study. Ninth, the events of the New Testament really did happen. And, tenth, tell your teacher he needs to seriously consider the words of Scripture about those who teach error and lead others astray.

Hope that helps.

God bless!

John Martignoni

In Conclusion

By the way, if anyone is offended because I use the word "idiot"...well, sorry 'bout that, but that's the word I use for Catholics who teach garbage and try to convince others that you can be healthy if you would just eat their garbage. I never use that word with non-Catholics...just for the Catholics who should, and usually do, know that they are teaching in opposition to the Church.

If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, and you would like to be added to our distribution list, all you have to do is go to www.biblechristiansociety.com and click on the "Newsletter" page to sign up. It will take you about 10 seconds.

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Terry of Rome-ing Catholics is providing links these next 9 days to the Novena of the Holy Spirit. Check him out each day between now and the vigil of Penecost to make your Novena. And you will no doubt find some other interesting items there also.

Father Johnson, new pastor of the Cathedral; is Lynching in Order?

Daniel at Lumen Fidei knows Father Joseph Johnson, the new pastor of the Cathedral of St. Paul He cites a quote by the new pastor that might come to haunt him: When asked if he considers Minnesota home now (he's a Texas transplant), he replied: "It's as close as any place on Earth to being home. I made a deal with the Lord -- I'd offer up my time in this cold place for a shorter stay in purgatory." Check him out!

St Joan's -- After the Egan Years Came the Wertin Years

Clayton, formerly at the St Paul Seminary, now living in Los Angeles, has a most interesting post today in his The Weight of Glory blog on St Joan of Arc parish, after the retirement of Father Harvey Egan and under Father George Wertin.

His earlier post on the years under Father Egan is Here.

Bishops Relax Auditing Requirements of Safe Environments Programs

The Minnesota based Primary Educators League reports that the U.S. Catholic bishops released some new information on May 15, 2006 with regard to their mandated safe environments programs. These changes relate to the Talking About Touching (TAT) and Formatioins in Christian Chastity (FICC) in the Archdiocese of St Paul-Minneapolis. The League has analyzed the changes here.

Father Todd Reitmeyer, Sioux Falls, Dies in Jet Ski Accident in Texas

Father Todd Reitmeyer, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls serving in Faulkton, Seneca and Orient, SD was killed in a jet ski accident while vacationing in Texas on May 24. Father Todd was an internet blogger with the site A Son Becomes a Father.

Father Reitmeyer is a native of the Austin, Texas area who was ordained a priest here in 2003. He was currently home to visit family and friends during his vacation. The accident occurred on Lake Travis near Austin. [snip] Diocese of Sioux Falls

From the Blog which has been updated with details and is available for leaving condolences and prayers: He was ordained on June 13, 2003 at St. Joseph Cathedral by Bishop Robert Carlson. His first assignment was as associate pastor at St. Michael, Sioux Falls. He then became administrator of St. Michael, Herried, St. Anthony, Selby and St. Joseph, Eureka where he served from January of 2004 until June of 2005. For the past year he has served as administrator at St. Thomas, Faulkton and St. Boniface, Seneca, as well as sacramental minister for St. Joseph, Orient. He served as spiritual director for St. Margaret Fellowship, the association of Catholic home school families since August 2003.

Father Todd is survived by his mother Phyllis Steiger of Rochester, MN; two brothers, William of Austin, TX and Thomas of College Station, TX; his sister, Christina Sheely of Coldwater, MI, and many friends. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of Santa Cruz, Buda, TX on Tuesday, May 30, 10:00 a.m. A Scripture service will be held at the Church Monday evening at 7:30. He will be buried at Assumption Cemetery, Austin, TX.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph Cathedral, Sioux Falls, at noon on Wednesday, May 31, celebrated by Bishop Samuel Aquila, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Sioux Falls


Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Father Dana Christensen who blogs as White Around the Color, The Meandering Mind of a Prairie Priest, also from Sioux Falls knew Father Todd

May 28, KELO-Land update

Minnesota-Born Missionary Credited With Preserving Balinese Culture Dies At 84

DENPASAR, Indonesia (UCAN) -- An American-born Divine Word missioner who served for 56 years in Bali province, and who had been honored for his work in preserving Balinese culture, died at the age of 84 of natural causes on May 8.

The May 9 requiem Mass for Father Norbert Anthony Shadeg at Holy Trinity Church in Tuka was led by Bishop Benyamin Bria of Denpasar, who eulogized the priest in his homily. "A great figure has gone. He brought Christian values to this island. He is not just a Catholic priest, but also an expert on Balinese culture," the bishop said.
[snip]
Father Shadeg was born in Minnesota, the United States, on Dec. 10, 1921, the third of 14 siblings. He was ordained a Divine Word priest on April 23, 1949, in Chicago, and assigned to serve in Bali, Indonesia, seven months later. He arrived in Bali on July 20, 1950. [snip] Indian Catholic

Sample Lessons from Talking About Touching Program Available On Line

The Primary Educators League has posted two sample lessons from the controversial Talking About Touching Sex Education program. The Archdioces of St Paul-Minneapolis has required that all parishes provide the program for their parents. 31 parishes have exercised the option allowing them to used the alternative program, Formation in Christian Chastity. The FICC program is completely available online at the Primary Educators League site.

Boston Blogger, Domenico Bettinelli, Editor of the Catholic World Report has posted much on the TAT program.

Wis. governor tells bishops he won't rethink stem cell support

Gov. Jim Doyle broke with Wisconsin's two most prominent Catholic bishops on Wednesday, bluntly telling them he would not rethink his strong support of embryonic stem cell research.

"While I appreciate your thoughts on this important issue, I also feel a responsibility to promote vital research which holds the potential to save countless lives and bring thousands of jobs to our state," Doyle, a Catholic, wrote in a letter to Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Madison Bishop Robert Morlino. [snip] Duluth NewsTribune

Homosexual Activists Again Vow to Disrupt Catholic Masses on Pentecost

Members of the Rainbow Sash Movement, a homosexual activist group demanding the Catholic Church accept homosexuality, have said they will once again disrupt mass in Catholic Cathedrals on Pentecost Sunday.
[snip]
The demonstrators were allowed to receive communion in several dioceses during past demonstrations, including the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese of Minnesota and the Los Angeles diocese. Last year, however, the Vatican issued a definitive word that the protestors were not to receive communion.
[snip]
Despite the Vatican's statement, last year's Pentecost service at the Cathedral of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdioceses degenerated into something of a free-for-all, according to one attendant, as sash wearers attempted to pluck communion off of the plate in passing, and one person began distributing broken bits of communion to other demonstrators in defiance of the edict. Lifesite.net

"South Dakota Dreaming" - a Realistic Look at Pro-Life Progress

The American Life League's "Celebrate Life" Magazine discusses the reality of South Dakota's new anti-abortion law. Note: pdf file

Site O' the Day

Catholic Church Extension Society

Some of you may have watched EWTN on May 24 when Father Pacwa interviewed the head of the Extension Society and they discussed aid to parishes in the dioceses hard hit by Katrina and other Hurricanes last year.

Routinely the Extension Society also provides continuing financial support to parishes in the Dioceses of Bismarck, Crookston, Duluth, Fargo, New Ulm, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Superior. Pray for them in their mission and consider making a generous contribution to them.

Archbishop Flynn Presided Today at Father Egan’s Service at St Joan of Arc in Minneapolis

I went to Father Harvey Egan’s memorial service at St Joan of Arc parish in Minneapolis this morning, first, to see what it was like over there now, and also to pay my respects because when I began attending Mass after a very long absence back then, he was the first priest I found that I really liked. But after a while that style of Mass got very tiresome, he retired and his replacement wasn’t that good, and I knew there were things very wrong about what they were doing. It has been 20 years since I had been back.

St Joan’s bulletin called today’s event “A Mass in Celebration” and a “Contemporary Eucharistic Liturgy in Memory of Father Harvey Francis Egan.” Father Egan, who came to St Joan’s in 1968 was the originator of its famous and controversial “gym Mass.” He retired in 1986 and died last Saturday.

I was surprised at how much bigger the “gym” is than when I was there. And the lighting and sound are far better. While still a gym with a tongue in groove wooden floor, it does look nicer than it did. They had tables and tents set up outside for a free brunch after today’s service, lots of people handing out brochures, putting out chairs, etc. So considering he just died a few days ago, they were really well organized with volunteers. Being it was a Wednesday, I would say it was only 90% filled, still pretty darned good.

Because Father Egan was cremated, there was no casket and funeral service as such. I don’t know what the Catholic procedures call for in the case of cremations. There was no urn blessing either.

The “gym service” there is unlike most “Catholic” services you have ever seen. Just like the big mega-churches, they provide comfort and entertainment in terms of music. They are very friendly and welcoming to visitors, unlike most Catholic parishes, unfortunately. They also have a strong “social Gospel” ministry that appeals to the ex-hippies and war protesters and others that make up the older core of their membership. Lots of pony tails and Birkenstocks were on display today. There weren’t too many younger people present because it was a weekday. But I would imagine that most of the younger people are single and/or political liberals who have not had many hours of CCD for their religious instruction. Some probably wouldn’t know what a properly celebrated Mass would look like, and why it was that way.

Most of you no doubt will be upset by what follows. I was. It wasn’t this bad back in the “olden days.”

They pretty well butchered the Mass by re-writing many of the words of the Roman Missal to make it more relevant to their philosophy. Of course, like with all liberal parishes, the words “He”, “His”, “Him”, etc. get changed to “God” or “God’s” or even “She” or “Her” to make the liturgy more acceptable to those whose primary goal in life is to have women ordained as priests. That would pretty much be the whole parish there, I would wager.

There is no tabernacle or sanctuary light in sight. A former parishioner told me that the tabernacle is in a nearby closet. Behind the plain altar stood a seven or eight piece musical group. There are no religious statues, paintings, icons or stained glass windows in the gym. Some currently fashionable wide colored ribbons hang at various points from the ceiling.

In today’s service for Father Egan, they skipped the Penitential Rite and the first and second readings; they did read the “There is a time to love, Time to die” verses from Ecclesiastes; and then for the Gospel they took the Sermon on the Mount and rewrote it to reflect Father Egan’s political “issues.” Apparently Jesus’ words weren’t good enough. They used pita bread for the host at the consecration, “crystal” vessels were used on the altar and they used what I surmise was the usual contingent of Extraordinary Ministers for Holy Communion while a dozen or so priests from the archdiocese, properly vested, just stood off to the side. Each E.M. helped themselves to their ciborium or “crystal” goblet. They then ended the “Mass” without the final blessing.

The music was all folk music, gospel or old slave “spirituals”: “What a wonderful world”; “My Lord, what a mourning”; “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”; “I come to the garden bells”; “Follow me”; “Shall we gather at the river”; “Just a closer walk with thee”; “In the sweet by and by”; “Song of soul”; “Day by day”; and “I’ll fly away”, accompanied by guitars, trumpet, keyboard and drum. Words to the songs were projected on two screens. But this congregation proved it didn’t need help. The slides stuck a couple of times but the singing continued with nary a drop in decibels til the projectionist caught up with them.

The eulogy was given by a Father John Brandes, an elderly priest, I believe a friend of Father Egan, followed by two couples who regaled the congregation with some of Father Egan’s pithy aphorisms from over the years and then some of his more recent serious thoughts.

The crowning hurt was that Archbishop Harry Flynn himself celebrated the Mass and his auxiliary, Bishop Richard Pates, concelebrated with five other priests. There was no entrance or exit procession for the archbishop. He just walked up to and off of the altar, like someone bringing up the gifts. They did wear their miters, so that’s how I knew they were there. I suppose it is traditional for a bishop to attend the funeral of one of his priests, but I would bet that some bishops get stomach aches now and then, too.

The Archbishop has done a lot of good things here, but when he cracks down, it is always on the more conservative people in the diocese, and places like St Joan of Arc, known nationally as being listed among the most liberal parishes in the country, generally go their own way.

He changed pastors at St Joan’s last Fall and made them cease having laypeople give the Homily. I’ve been told a secular message is now given before the service begins.

The new pastor, Father Jim DeBruycker, was there today and at the conclusion of the service, he thanked the archbishop for granting permission for the service, wondered whether the archbishop thought he was in control of his new parish (much to the laughter of the congregation) and then somewhat boldly invited the archbishop to give a “rebuttal” at the end, which except for the eulogy, was apparently a typical SJA service. I wouldn’t call today’s service a Mass.

In his final words, not taking the bait, the Archbishop joked a bit about really “not having a choice when it came to giving permission” and commented humorously about “too many homilists” and said he was going to restrict it in the future.

But at least twenty priests witnessed that performance. And you better believe that they are probably all on the phone or emailing right now.

Wouldn’t the average priest have concluded that the service led by Archbishop Flynn today was in fact a verbal and visual imprimatur that will tell the rest of the priests of this archdiocese that he approves of the way the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated at St Joan of Arc parish and that they can experiment with the liturgy as much as they want, no matter what Rome says?

Father Harvey Egan: In love with God and the Church: A Strib Op-Ed piece by Terry Thompson

Milwaukee's lessons on school vouchers

"At my old school, the environment I was in was the same outside the school and inside the school," says Destiny, dressed in Hope's tie-and-jacket uniform, her braids pulled back with a headband. "Here, the school's in a bad neighborhood, but the environment in the school is really loving."

Hers is the sort of story Milwaukee's school-choice advocates cite when touting the oldest and largest voucher program in the country. Now it's expanding, but 16 years after it began, the policy is still controversial and has shown few documented benefits. [snip] Christian Science Monitor

Pilgrimage Site O' the Day: Sacred Heart Monastery, Richardton, ND

Benedictine Sacred Heart Monastery
Richardton, ND

Spring Garage Sale - Holy Family Adoption Agency

May 24-25, 2006: Holy Family Adoption Agency will be holding a Spring Garage Sale at the Anoka County Fairgrounds (Ferry Street) on Wednesday, Mary 24^th from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Thursday, May 25^th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Items to be donated can be dropped off on Monday, May 22^nd from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Furniture only with prior approval. Volunteers are needed. For additional information, call Gerrie Soine at 763-421-8917 or 651-298-0133. Thanks to Catholic Newsnet

"Why Do Catholics Go To Confession?"

May 24 2006: Catholics United For The Faith will hold their May meeting on the subject of “Why Do Catholics Go To Confession,” and where in the Bible these supporting passages are located. The meeting begins at 7:15 pm in the downstairs Church Hall at St. Agnes Catholic Church, one block east of Dale Street on Thomas in St. Paul. Mn. The event is open to everyone and a free-will offering will be taken. Thanks to Catholic NewsNet

That Bastion of Theological Orthodoxy, the Internet's Slate Magazine Chimes In!

Ungodly Errors: Scholarly gripes about The Da Vinci Code's Jesus.

Are Vatican Officials Nothing But Sexist Pigs?

Father John Wauck, author of the "Opus Dei Catechism", featured here some time ago, has invited Pia de Solenni, a Catholic theologian, to discuss the DVC's allegation that the Catholic Church is sexist and has done nothing but repress women for 2,000 years. See More. Tip of the hat to The Catholic Golfer

Just How Come Did St Joan of Arc Parish Get to be so Different?

Clayton, in Los Angeles, formerly of God's Country, MN, in his The Weight of Glory blog has a very good short history of St Joan's parish in South Minneapolis. The parish is populated by a strong core of pre-Vatican II folks, and others who probably have not received much formal religious education. Some of their social apostolates do much good. Their liturgies and religious education are wanting.

I don't know if it will ease any pain that you might have, but maybe you might learn a lesson by reading Clayton's post that will assist you in preventing your parish from travelling that same path.

Terry of Abbey-Roads has some thoughts on Father Harvey Egan.

Crookston's Bishop Balke Set to Retire

Bishop Victor Balke of the Catholic Diocese of Crookston since 1976, is preparing to retire, said a spokesperson for the parochial district. Grand Forks Herald

St Thomas Grad Angers Classmates in Commencement Address

A spring term that began with controversy at the University of St. Thomas ended the same way Saturday when a student used part of his commencement address to admonish people he considered "selfish," including women who use birth control.

The remarks by Ben Kessler, a well-known student recently honored by peers and faculty as Tommie of the Year, led to catcalls and boos during commencement at the Catholic university in St. Paul. Others booed those who were booing. Some students walked out on their own graduation ceremony.
[snip]
Kessler was a defensive tackle on the St. Thomas football team and had a 4.0 grade-point average. He majored in philosophy and business, was an undergraduate seminarian at the university and plans to become a Roman Catholic priest.

"It takes a tough person to play football," Kessler said in a Pioneer Press profile last fall. "Well, what kind of priests do we want to have? We want someone who is internally strong and externally strong. That's the kind of priest who can change society." Pioneer Press

The Strib has some student reaction.

KARE11 has some video of the talk Tip of the hat to American Papist.

Napro Technology: Natural Family Planning

[snip] Doctor Jane Gaetze is an OBGYN at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, and she's also certified in NaPro Technology. She says the system is often used by women who have had problems conceiving, even with other fertility methods... but it's also for those wanting to avoid pregnancy. And unlike traditional birth control, NaPro Technology is centered around a woman's awareness of her own body.

"It isn't a control, because it's using the woman's natural cycle, so there's nothing controlling," Dr. Gaetze said.
[snip]
And soon, they hope to be able to share news of their own little miracle.

NaPro Technology is supported by the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese as a choice for family planning. KELO-Land

Interview with New Pastor of St Paul Cathedral

On June 12, the 35-year-old Texas-born priest will become rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul, the grand mother church of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He'll replace the Rev. Michael Skluzacek, who will move to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Brighton. Johnson also will keep his current job as priest at St. Vincent de Paul Hmong Catholic Community in St. Paul.

Pam Miller of the StarTribune talked to him this week.

Now just where should you invest your money?

Mitchell at Our Word has been covering interesting topics lately. Today he has found an article which discusses investing in the "Vice Fund" for a maximum return. The discussion relates to contrasting our moral life against our financial life.

Looking at the world through rose-colored glasses

Thomas at the Epiphany blog critiques the comments of Dr. James Davidson of Purdue University is considered one of the three top sociologists of Catholic life in the U.S. . . . Who was in the Twin Cities recently talking to the National Federation of Priests' Councils meeting . . . . About the serious ideological divide between today's priests -- the so-called John Paul II priests and the so-called Vatican II priests. See More

New Parish-built Cemetery Mausoleum to be First in Archdiocese

St. John the Baptist in Excelsior soon will break ground for a chapel mausoleum in its Resurrection Cemetery near Minnesota State Highway 7 in Shorewood. Christy Theis, cemetery sales coordinator and St. John parish secretary, said it is “the first and only chapel mausoleum in the southwest metro area.”
[snip]
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, above-ground burials accounted for about 30 percent of all burials in 2004 in the United States, Theis noted.

“By constructing a mausoleum, we are using less land space for the number of burials,” she said. “And we are also offering a chapel space for committal services during inclement weather for both in-ground burials and mausoleum burials. In addition, cremation is more popular now that the Catholic Church is more accepting of the practice. [snip] Catholic Spirit

The Uncivil Society; another point of view

Katherine Kersten (again), the Strib's lonely conservative opinion columnist has struck a nerve again with a nice piece on the changes in our political landscape over the last 40 or more years.

She interviewed A.M. "Sandy" Keith, former Minensota State Senator, former Lieutenant Governor and former Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court as to what has happened to our politicians. They are now calling each other "liars" and "devils" and getting away with it. In Sandy's day, they both maintain, that was not the way things were. And our blogging partner, Mitchell Hadley, does a nice job of parsing her column and giving us some pithy analysis in his Our Word blog.

In the old days, especially in the smaller towns, political opponents had to get along with each other because they needed each other for other reason than votes. In essence the argument is that both our urban and rural worlds have become more isolated and politicians don't encounter each other daily and they really don't need each other to get along. Thus our society has been more fragmented into rigid fringe groups, often best described by using the red state, blue state metaphor.

I would guess there is a modicum of truth to that.

But, one of the advantages of having lived around here for a long time is that I remember that it wasn't quite so civil on the left and the right as Keith describes it. For you see, Sandy, one of the first of the modern politicians to be adorned with a JFK haircut, was one of the principals in a 1966 battle royal in the Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) party that began the movement of that party to the liberal edge.

Karl Rolvaag, who had been Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor, won the Governorship in 1962 in an election that took 132 days to decide. The margin was 91 votes out of 1.3 million cast over the Republican candidate. Most of the ballots in those days were done on paper, and everyone of those paper ballots was contested by teams of lawyers and professors and panels of judges. If the law said the ballot must be marked with an X and the voter marked with a check mark, out went the ballot. If the voter wrote in a name when the name was printed on the ballot, out went the ballot. I won’t bore you with the details, but the 284 pp. book, “Recount” by Stinnett and Backstrom, 1964 has them for you.

Minnesota's election laws were promptly changed after that election so that now the voter's intent is the basis of determining of whether a ballot if valid or not. If the folks in Florida had read this book, they certainly could have avoided their recent “chad wars.”

When it was time for re-election in 1966, Keith, who was Rolvaag’s Lieutenant Governor, and his allies decided that Karl wasn’t glamorous enough to be governor so he challenged him in the DFL Convention, where he lost, and in a Party Primary where he also lost. The Republicans won the Governor’s office in November. It was bloody and vicious and people that were closely involved probably still don’t talk to each other. The conservatives, generally the farmers and the unions had backed known quantity, incumbent, non-glamorous Rolvaag; The academics and students and professionals, the new Democratic elite, had gone for Kennedy-esque Keith. They were joined by two new groups, the environmentalists and what would become the GBLGT movement.

The split continued to grow over the years and after the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the Catholics started leaving the DFL to the point by the 1990s, the once invincible party was regularly losing statewide elections.

I think there is some truth in what Kersten and Keith came up with. But as you see, it was a little more complex than that.

The New Yorker's Verdict? Three Thumbs Down!

[snip] Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, except at Columbia Pictures, where the power lunches won’t even be half-started. The Catholic Church has nothing to fear from this film. It is not just tripe. It is self-evident, spirit-lowering tripe that could not conceivably cause a single member of the flock to turn aside from the faith. [snip] Well, if he only knew how little some folks know of the faith, he might not have written that last sentence.

Rogation Days: Rural Bavaria to Rural Minnesota and Dakota

"Martial" in his blog Laudetur Jesus Christus has some wonderful photos of Bavarian farmers in the 1950s (and probably not much different from the 1850s) and notes that this was the area where farmers from Stearns County, MN and parts of the Dakotas came from. He's got lots of good stuff there. Read More

Christian Family Fun Fest June 17 in Chippewa Falls

A Christian Family Fun Fest will be held at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Chippewa Falls on Saturday, June 17.

The new event will feature performances by popular Christian bands, food, children’s games, a raffle and an afternoon religious service. Tickets cost $20 per family, regardless of the size of the family, for a full day.
Tickets are available from all Chippewa Catholic School parents and the CACS Central Office at McDonell Central High School. Chippewa Herald

SOAR For Jobs -- Interviewing Workshop

7-9 p.m. Monday, St. Odilia Catholic Community, 3495 N. Victoria St., Shoreview. 651-484-6681. www.stodilia.org/soar4jobs.

South Dakota Teens Discuss Dating

It's part of growing up... Going to school dances, events... And prom. For many teenagers, high school is also the time they start getting dating. But teen relationships don't come without concerns. In 2005, 2,000 students took part in the South Dakota Youth Risk Behavior Survey. 11% said they'd been in an abusive relationship; 9% said they were physically forced to have sex when they didn't want to. What can parents do to make sure their kids are safe in relationships?
[snip]
Mary Hayes, a sophomore at O'Gorman says, "It's kinda surprising to hear people say my boyfriend wanted me to do this last night. I didn't feel comfortable, but yet I still did it. It surprises me since we do go to a catholic school, it surprises me that people don't know the right from wrong." [snip] KELOLand News

Bush Foundation and 3M Contribute to Xavier University in New Orleans

The rebuilding and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina by Xavier University, the nation's only Historically Black and Catholic institution of higher learning, which sustained $450 in damages, has been on the receiving end of major cash infusions recently.
[snip]
Xavier is first in the nation in placing African-American students into medical schools, where it has been ranked for the past 10 years. The 77% acceptance rate of Xavier graduates by medical schools is almost twice the national average, and 92% of those who enter medical schools complete their degree programs.

Xavier has also benefited from monies raised by the Bush-Clinton Hurricane Relief Fund's $30 million grant for universities and was presented with a $2 million unrestricted grant from the Bush Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation established in 1953 by 3M executive Archibald G. Bush and based in St. Paul, Minnesota.[snip] Louisiana Weekly

Mocking and maligning the Catholic Church is the last safe harbor of bigots in this multicultural world.

Katherine Kersten, the lonely conservative opinion staffer with the Strib, wonders why the paper didn't publish those cartoons of Mohammad a couple of months ago so that its readers could judge for their selves? She comes up with an answer.

What does a military chaplain pray for in a time of war?

As we near the celebration of Memorial Day in this country, Father (also, Major) John Paul Echert, Catholic chaplain, Minnesota Air National Guard, 133rd Airlift Wing Chapel, St. Paul [also, Pastor, both St Augustine's and Holy Trinity in South St Paul] and other chaplains answer that question in the Star Tribune.
[snip]
"As it was long ago written and recorded in the word of God, "There is a time for peace and a time for war." The prayers of a military chaplain in a time of war are unique and they parallel, in many ways, the concerns and preoccupations of the troops we serve. . . ."